Clarke and Ponting ease Australia past India tally

Sydney: Michael Clarke grabbed a century and Ricky Ponting was closing on one of his own after the pair eased Australia past India's first innings tally of 191 and reached 236 for three at lunch on the second day of the second test on Wednesday.

Skipper Clarke (103) and his predecessor Ponting (97) had come together on 37-3 and resumed in the morning on 116 before extending what could turn out to be a match-winning partnership to 199 at the break.

Image: Australian batsman Michael Clarke (L) is congratulated by Ricky Ponting (R) after reaching 50 runs on day two of the second cricket Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 4, 2012.